Blinded search for varicella zoster virus in giant cell arteritis (GCA)-positive and GCA-negative temporal arteries.

Recent analysis of archived temporal arteries (TAs) acquired from 13 pathology laboratories in the US, Canada, Iceland, France, Germany and Israel from patients with pathologically-verified giant cell arteritis (GCA-positive) and TAs from patients with clinical features and laboratory abnormalities of GCA but whose TAs were pathologically negative (GCA-negative) revealed VZV antigen in most TAs from both groups. Despite formalin-fixation, VZV DNA was also found in many VZV-antigen positive sections that were scraped, subjected to DNA extraction, and examined by PCR with VZV-specific primers. Importantly, in past studies, the pathological diagnosis (GCA-positive or -negative) was known to the neurovirology laboratory.

Disseminated VZV infection and asymptomatic VZV vasculopathy after steroid abuse.

A 60-year-old man who abused corticosteroids developed thoracic-distribution zoster. Varicella zoster virus (VZV) DNA was found in non-healing skin 3 months later. He died suddenly 2 months later.

Varicella zoster virus pneumonitis and brainstem encephalitis without skin rash in an immunocompetent adult.

Varicella zoster virus (VZV) pneumonitis and brainstem encephalitis developed in an immunocompetent adult without rash. Chest computed tomography exhibited nodularity; lung biopsy revealed multinucleated giant cells, Cowdry A inclusions, VZV antigen, and DNA. Varicella zoster virus central nervous system disease was verified by cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) anti-VZV IgG antibody with reduced serum/CSF ratios.